Molecular Genetics of Oral Cancer

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common epithelial malignancy in the oral cavity and constitutes more than
90% of oral malignancies. OSCC is a complex malignancy where environmental factors, viral infections and genetic alterations
most likely interact, and thus give rise to the malignant condition. Epidemiological investigations have shown that heavy
tobacco smoking, high alcohol consumption and human papilloma virus infection are the major risk factors for OSCC development.
These factors interact with specific genes important for normal cellular development and genetic alterations may finally lead
to a malignant phenotype. Genetic mutations accumulated over time are needed for an oral cancer to develop and several molecular
genetic changes have been associated with the development of OSCC. The most important genetic alterations associated with
the condition are tumour suppressor genes, oncogenes, epigenetic changes, genomic instability, mitochondrial mutations, microRNAs
and loss of heterozygosity.

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